The 2023 census found 12.3% of Mecklenburg County’s population is over 65 years of age, up from 10% 4 years prior. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates 210,500 NC seniors are living with dementia - including 12.5% of Mecklenburg County’s seniors. Across NC last year, 373,000 family caregivers provided 723 million hours of unpaid care. Of those, 58% are also managing at least one chronic condition of their own.

Parkinson’s is the world’s fastest growing neurological disorder. A 2023 study by the Parkinson’s Foundation, Michael J. Fox Foundation, and Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences found there are 90,000 new diagnoses/year in the US, 50% more than previous estimates. The Parkinson’s Foundation estimates 30,000 in NC are living with the disease. By 2030, 1.2 million Americans will live with Parkinson’s.

Yet there is a shortage of care. In 2021 there were 158 geriatricians statewide. By 2050, the Alzheimer’s Association predicts 535 will be required to care for 10% of the state’s seniors – less than the percentage currently living with dementia. The 2021 Age-Friendly Mecklenburg Report notes lack of dementia resources as a critical issue.

MMC is currently the only clinic in the region committed to comprehensive dementia care and high demand often results in long wait times for an initial appointment. Meeting this ever-increasing demand for services means we are continually in an expansion mode, as this approach to care is very time-and staff-intensive.

At current staffing levels, we serve over 1,400 patients and 3,600 caregivers annually. Patients 65 and older represent 89% of our patient base. Many caregivers are also seniors caring for a spouse, others are younger adults caring for an aging parent, and some are responsible for young children in addition to an aging parent or a spouse. 66% of our patients reside in Mecklenburg County, with the remainder primarily in surrounding counties.

Our nonprofit model depends on philanthropy. For fiscal year 2027, our budget projects that insurance reimbursement will cover approximately 43% of the cost of time we spend with each patient and family. 29% of our costs will be covered by a modest annual fee and the remaining 28% by philanthropic donations and grants. We are committed to treating anyone in need, waiving the annual fee if it is a barrier to care. Our impact is only possible with the generosity of both public and private support.

This expansion campaign is outside of our annual operating budget.